Defense Security Cooperation Agency, On 28 June 2006, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of Weapons for the F-16C/D Block 50/52 Aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $650 million.
The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE)
–500 AIM-120C5 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM);
–12 AMRAAM training missiles;
–240 LAU-129/A Launchers;
–200 AIM-9M-8/9 SIDEWINDER missiles;
–500 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Guidance Kits: GBU-31/38 Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) kits; 1,600 Enhanced-GBU-12/24 GBUs;
–800 MK-82 500 pound General Purpose (GP) and MK-84 2,000 pound GP bombs; and
—700 BLU-109 2,000 pound with FMU-143 Fuze.
Associated support equipment, software development/integration, modification kits, capability to employ a wide variety of munitions, spares and repair parts, flight test instrumentation, publications and technical documentation, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related requirements to ensure full program supportability will also be provided. The estimated cost is $650 million.
Given its geo-strategic location and partnership in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), Pakistan is a vital ally of the United States, as reflected in the June 2004 designation of Pakistan as a Major Non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization Ally. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping an ally meet its legitimate defense requirements. These weapon systems will be used for close air support in ongoing operations contributing to the GWOT.
Consistent with U.S. conventional arms transfer policy and arms control initiatives, this potential sale will allow the Pakistani Air Force to modernize its aging fighter and weapons inventory, thereby enabling Pakistan to support both its own air defense needs and coalition operations.
Purchase of these weapons systems would not significantly reduce India
